During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on enhancing safety measures for Amtrak and the effectiveness of audits related to transportation infrastructure. Senator Sullivan raised concerns about vulnerabilities in train safety, referencing incidents in Europe and emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect passengers. He questioned Mr. Chen on the current strategies in place to address potential threats, highlighting the importance of investing in infrastructure to ensure safe travel.

Mr. Chen acknowledged the need for collaboration with other agencies to strengthen safety protocols and expressed his commitment to addressing these vulnerabilities if confirmed. He stressed that preventing incidents before they occur is crucial, rather than merely reacting to them after the fact.

The meeting also touched on the proposed legislation by Senator Duckworth and others aimed at shortening the timeframe for audits, which Mr. Chen personally supports. He noted that conducting audits with little notice can enhance their effectiveness by preventing operators from preparing in advance.

As the meeting concluded, the chairwoman asked all nominees to pledge their commitment to work collaboratively with the committee and provide timely responses to requests for information. Senators were reminded that they could submit questions for the record until the end of the business day on September 30th.